The Secrets of Caterpillar Locomotion

Eurekalert is carrying a Tufts
University press release today describing new research into the
locomotion of soft-bodied insects like caterpillars. By studying the
nervous system and biomechanics of caterpillars the scientists hope to
learn how to build flexible (rather than jointed) robots. Caterpiller
robots could have applications such as crawling through human blood
vessels and organs. As part of the project, the Trimmer
Lab researchers are
subjecting caterpillars to MRI scans, biomaterial testing, 3D
kinematics
studies, electromyography, and hydraulic measurements. They hope to have
a complete, physics-based computer simulation of the locomotion by next
year.